PHOTOS: Ruto Travels in Style Aboard Stunning Sh2bn Private Jet to Angola
President William Ruto made a striking arrival in Angola on November 24, boarding a private Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 650 jet, underscoring his penchant for refined executive travel.
Photographs and video footage obtained by flashnews show the Head of State being received at Luanda’s Quatro de Fevereiro Airport by senior officials from President João Lourenço’s government, with a full ceremonial military parade providing a vibrant welcome. The polished Embraer Legacy 650, bearing the registration T7-JET, was visible on the tarmac, reflecting the Angolan sun and making a clear statement about the prestige associated with presidential travel.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 and FlightAware confirmed that the aircraft departed Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at approximately 1:15 pm and landed in Luanda at 5:00 pm local time (3:00 pm WAT). These details match a communique from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, who noted on X (formerly Twitter):
“President William Ruto departs this afternoon for Luanda, Angola, for two key engagements: The 7th African Union-European Union Summit and the Second Session of the Ad Hoc Oversight Committee on African Union Institutional Reform, which he will chair as the AU Champion for Institutional Reform.”
A Closer Look at the Embraer Legacy 650
The Embraer Legacy 650, manufactured in Brazil and introduced in 2010, is celebrated for blending long-range capability with executive-level comfort. With a non-stop range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,220 km) and an increased payload capacity of 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg), the aircraft is designed for extended travel without compromising passenger comfort.
Externally, the jet features a striking white finish with Royal Blue and Las Vegas Gold stripes. Internally, the cabin is divided into three zones suitable for lounging, dining, or sleeping, complete with noise-cancelling technology, fully adjustable plush seats, in-flight Wi-Fi, and HD entertainment through Honeywell’s Ovation Select system. The jet also offers the largest cabin, galley, and lavatory in its class, catering to passengers who expect a highly refined experience in the air.
The cockpit is equally sophisticated, fitted with Honeywell’s Primus Elite avionics suite, high-resolution glass displays, ergonomic seating, fly-by-wire controls, and an auto-brake system. Safety enhancements include Honeywell’s Smart Landing and Smart Runway systems, an Enhanced Vision System (EVS), and a Head-Up Display (HUD). Aviation analyst Louis Hardiman of Simple Flying highlighted the Legacy 650’s improvements over its predecessor, the Legacy 600, noting:
“The 650’s performance upgrades include more powerful engines and greater fuel capacity, allowing longer range, stronger climb performance, and greater operational versatility—qualities prized in long-haul executive travel.”
Ownership and Costs
The San Marino-registered T7-JET has an opaque ownership record, listed across multiple aviation registries as ‘private’ or ‘unknown.’ Past records cite previous registrations including N908SK, N1184U, G-WIRG, and PR-LBY, though these remain unverified. The aircraft is valued at roughly Sh2.3 billion ($18 million), with charter rates averaging Sh1.1 million ($7,700) per hour.
This marks President Ruto’s second recent trip aboard a chartered private jet for official duties, following a September flight to Ethiopia on a Gulfstream V, estimated at Sh2.6 million per hour. The official presidential aircraft, the Fokker 70 ER “Harambee One,” has been undergoing a year-long maintenance schedule in the Netherlands. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya confirmed that the aircraft, now approaching three decades in service, may soon be retired due to high maintenance costs and limited spare parts availability.
“For now it is out of the country for maintenance for one year. We expect it back in 2026,” Tuya told Nation. She added that future arrangements could include a new presidential aircraft or continued use of VIP charters and commercial flights, although such short-term solutions are not sustainable.
Harambee One, first acquired under President Daniel arap Moi in 1996, could potentially be replaced within the next two years, depending on Defence Ministry budget allocations and strategic planning.
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PHOTOS: Ruto Travels in Style Aboard Stunning Sh2bn Private Jet to Angola